People who have wanderlust often wish to venture to Beijing, the busy capital city of China. The city is well known for its place in history, for its cultural significance, and for the vast wealth of activities the city offers tourists. Whether you want to take in the religion, culture, history, or scenic splendor of China, you can do so in Beijing. The Summer Palace is just one of many old imperial buildings that has much significance for tourists today. Make sure the Summer Palace is on your Beijing itinerary.
Also called, Yihe yuan, which means “gardens of nurtured harmony,” this splendid location was named a World Heritage Site in 1998 for its mastery of Chinese garden landscape. Notable topographical features include Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, which is a man-made lake that covers 2.2 square kilometers. The site is also home to palaces, gardens, and temples. The history of the area dates back to the Garden of Clear Ripples, on which construction started in 1750. Notable features of the park include the Marble Boat, a pavilion made to resemble a boat, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and Tower of Buddhist Incense. The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, Tower of Mountain and Lake Views, and the Qilin statue also make for interesting stops.
Beijing is a city steeped in history, religion, and culture; to witness the real Beijing, a number of stops id required. One of the stops on your Beijing trip should be to the Summer Palace, which is a gorgeous setting full of historical significance. See the city, but make time for the Summer Palace.
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Beijing is a city full of hustle and bustle; visiting the city requires research so as not to waste time once in the city. Since the city is so full of amazing wonders, time is of the essence. One of the best things to visit in Beijing is Ritan Park, located in the eastern, more suburban part of the city. Located near the Jianguomenwei Embassy, Ritan park should be easy to find as it is a popular tourist stop for Beijing visitors.
Ritan Park is revered for many reasons; for one, it is one of the oldest parks in Beijing. Built in 1530, the park encompasses a wealth of history and religion of China. The park was originally built to accompany the Temple of the Sun, which is where the Chinese emperor would make sacrifices to the sun god. Today, the area provides a much-needed respite from the busy city life of Beijing. The park provides a pleasant setting for a day of tranquility. A pavilion-style restaurant can also be found on the site; this is a great place to stroll casually or play with your children in a pleasant outdoor setting while in Beijing.
Once an imperial place of worship, today, Ritan Park offers a brief respite of peace in a city full of bustle. Take a quiet stroll or try the food at the restaurant; enjoy the pretty settings and the lovely religious temple. This is one place that is full of culture and historical significance. men resource
Tags: >Attractions, Ritan Park
One of the most splendid and well-known of all of China’s attractions is Beijing’s Forbidden City. Known to the Chinese as Gugong, which means “former palace,” this site is always at the top of any visitors’ list when visiting the city. The site is quite large, at over 720,000 sq meters (7.8 million square feet). With nearly 1000 buildings in the structure, no end to amazement shall be found.
The structure was built in the early 1400s during the Ming Dynasty; it lasted into the Qing Dynasty. It offers a glimpse at gorgeous, ancient Chinese architecture. The palace is so impressive that it was named a World Heritage Site in 1987; it has contributed greatly to architecture and history. The palace, with its immense size, includes nearly 10,000 rooms, a moat, and a protective wall. Today, these features can be viewed; the location also houses the Palace Museum.
The palace was a major undertaking, involving fifteen years of construction and over one million workers. Precious trees and special bricks were used in the construction of the palace, which was the home of the Ming Emperor. The palace was the home of 24 Chinese emperors until the last emperor, Puyi, abdicated.
There is some controversy in recent years, as modernization and commercialization enter the Forbidden City. Commercial entities are setting up shop; some say it undermines the historical significance of the palace. In either case, the palace is a place that one should not miss while visiting the busy Chinese capital of Beijing.
Tags: >Attractions, Forbidden City
Visiting the metropolis that is Beijing enables visitors to witness some spectacular sights. One can see thousand-year-old temples and grand, ancient palaces; along with these sites, visitors can see historic locations that have a more modern significance. One place that is a must-see on any Beijing itinerary is Tiananmen Square, located in the center of the bustling city.
The square covers an area that is over 100 acres; it is this size that makes it the biggest urban square on the planet. This site has both ancient and modern significance; the gate was built in the 1400s during the Ming Dynasty. The original beginning of the square was in the mid-1600s. Finally, it was modernized and cemented in the late 1950s.
Tiananmen Square holds modern historic significance because of several events that occurred in the 20th Century. The allied army held a victory march after occupying Beijing at the start of the 20th century, while other notable events include the May Fourth Movement and the December 9th Movement. Mao Zedong announced the formation of the People’s Republic of China here in October of 1949. Another event, a massacre of protesters occurred in the square in 1989, which received world-wide attention.
Today, if one visits, you can see the National Museum of China, which sits along the east side of the square. A monument to the People’s Heroes can be seen as well; one other notable feature today is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. For world history like no other, visit Beijing and see Tiananmen Square.
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Any trip to Beijing warrants a stop to the various historically significant wonders the city has to offer. One unique aspect of visiting Beijing is a stop in the Hutongs. Hutongs are narrow streets that are made when a line of siheyuan (courtyard homes) is created. Having many Hutongs joined together creates a neighborhood. These Hutongs came to be as a result of the city planning of the emperors of China; the plans were based on social standing. Seeing these Hutongs is like stepping into ancient China.
The original layout of the city had the Forbidden City in the center of Beijing surrounded by the Inner and Outer cities. The higher your social class, the closer you lived to the center. To the north and south of the Forbidden City, poorer people lived and it is there that the narrow Hutongs were formed.
The number of existing Hutongs has been decreased since the inception of the People’s Republic of China; modernization has given way to high rise apartments. Many Hutong areas were demolished for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as well. In some areas, though, you can still see the quaint Hutong neighborhoods of old.
If you visit Beijing, you will surely be enthralled by the rich temples, enormous palaces, and lovely imperial parks, but if you wish to see real Beijing, look no further than the Hutongs. The Hutongs are like no other part of Beijing; they have their own cultural identity; see so for yourself on a vacation in Beijing.
Tags: >Attractions, hutongs
Cultural and art enthusiasts will have one heck of a time, should they decide to visit the 798 Art Zone in Beijing’s Chaoyang district. The area is also referred to as the Dashanzi Art District; It is comprised of interesting architecture and has been compared to artsy neighborhoods in New York City, such as SoHo. The unique architecture is due to the fact that it is comprised of factory buildings; in fact, this is where it gets its name, for factory 798. Visiting this one-of-a-kind place while in Beijing will be the highlight of a creative person’s vacation.
The area’s rebirth as an artistic haven began when Avant-garde artists, evicted from their homes, set up shop near the area. When the city of Beijing’s Central Academy for Fine Arts needed workshop space, they too set up shop in the area; they chose the then abandoned Factory 706. More artists started flocking to the area and before you knew it, 798 Art Zone was born.
Due to gentrification and high rent prices, it is extremely expensive to live and work in the area now. In addition, urban sprawl has led to a possibility that the area will be destroyed, so see it while you have the chance. If you do get the chance to see the area, stop by the galleries and see the exhibitions; many notable exhibitions occur in the 798 Art Zone, so you never know what you’ll get to see.
The 798 Art Zone is a marvelous place to stop if you are an art buff or fan. The striking balance of old factories and modern art is somehow perfect. To be wowed, make sure it is on your list of things to do in Beijing.
Tags: 798 Art Zone, Chaoyang District
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Tags: Beijing, Beijing Architecture, Gallery, Olympic Village, Photographs, photos, pics, Qianmen, Sunset, The Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square
Wangfujing Street, located in the Dongcheng district, is Beijing’s most famous shopping area. Since most of the road is closed off to vehicles, you should come prepared to walk. Shopping in this street has been going on since the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). A downtown area of Beijing, Wangfujing is close to hotels and has many shops to accommodate your needs; this is the perfect place for a Chinese shopping excursion.
Famous for its nightly market, western visitors will want to take a stroll through Snack Street. Here, you can find delicacies from all over China. Other interesting fare, not usually eaten by Western people, is also available for exploration by brave visitors. If that does not seem like the thing for you, try the plentiful array of different shops; shopping ‘til you drop is a possibility here. This district has been compared with the famous shopping areas of Western cities, such as Paris and New York, so expect it to be great.
The site is not just a drab shopping zone, either; it is dotted with décor. Sculptures, fountains, plazas, and traditional Chinese architecture dot the premises. Gorgeous ornamental columns and pretty flowers also make up the décor of the area. One particularly nice part is the Oriental Plaza, which has world class shopping, culinary treats, and recreation galore. It has a cinema, a gym, cultural center, and even an ice skating rink; visitors will not run out of things to do at Wangfujing.
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Haidan district is the location of many of the Universities in Beijing and it therefore a center of learning and knowledge. In this district, knowledge, history, and culture collide. The Summer Palace is found here; it is just one of many World Heritage Sites in Beijing. The architecture and scenery are lovely, including the lake that dots the premises.
A gorgeous public park, Fragrant Hills Park, rests at the foot of the Western Mountains. A pine/cypress forest, dotted with maple, persimmon, and smoke trees, Chinese cultural structures, and landscaped regions make up the park. It has a long history and was built in 1186 during the Jin Dynasty. Another lovely place to visit in Haidian district is Beijing Botanical Garden, located in the Western Hills, not too far from Fragrant Hills. The garden houses more than 6,000 types of plant; there are: trees and shrubs, many varieties of tropical plants, fruit trees, and flowers. In addition, there is the Peony Garden, which is the home of rare and endangered plants.
A trip to Beijing requires a visitor to decide what to do: which districts you should visit, which sites to see, what foods to eat or not eat. While in Beijing, visiting the Haidian district will allow you a glimpse into Chinese University life, gorgeous architecture, and spectacular scenery. If one wishes to have a glimpse at a rare flower, Haidian is the district for you.
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Chaoyang district is home to most of the embassies and diplomatic places. This district is huge, at over 450 square kilometers; the population here is over 2 million people. Even with those huge numbers, the district is still only number two in population. In the inner city of Beijing, this is the largest district and it expands over a vast area of the city.
Many large corporations run businesses within the Chaoyang district, but that is not what the visitors come for. Some of the most beloved Chinese attractions can be found within the borders of this large, diverse district. Silk Street, a shopping area with more than 1700 shops, is famous for the many knock-offs found there, so be wary of what you buy. Nowadays, after pressure from the government, fewer knock-offs are sold and more Chinese crafts, such as calligraphy, carpets, and antiques are being sold.
Visit the Worker’s Stadium in the Chaoyang, which is also called the Gongti, which is a football stadium. Catch a game or take in the atmosphere of any exciting event. Keep in mind that some of the 2008 Olympic events were held here, so there is something for visitors in that. Another place to visit is the Rittan Park, which has the Altar of the Sun. It is a peaceful location for reflection.
Vacationing in Beijing will offer you opportunities you can find nowhere else in the world. For amazing sites and vast shopping excursions, visit the Chaoyang district. Silk, antiques, sports, and history can all be yours on a vacation in Beijing.
